Taylor achieved his breakthrough in 1970 with the No. 3 single "Fire and Rain" and had his first No. 1 hit the following year with "You've Got a Friend", a recording of Carole King's classic song. His 1976 Greatest Hits album was certified Diamond and has sold 12 million US copies. Following his 1977 album, JT, he has retained a large audience over the decades. Every album that he released from 1977 to 2007 sold over 1 million copies. He enjoyed a resurgence in chart performance during the late 1990s and 2000s, when he recorded some of his most-awarded work (including Hourglass, October Road, and Covers). He achieved his first number-one album in the US in 2015 with his recording Before This World.
He is known for his popular covers of other people's songs, such as "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and the aforementioned "You've Got A Friend", as well as originals such as "Fire and Rain".
Taylor's four siblings (Alex, Livingston, Hugh, and Kate) have also been musicians with recorded albums. Livingston is still an active musician; Kate was active in the 1970s but did not record another album until 2003; Hugh operates a bed-and-breakfast with his wife, The Outermost Inn in Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard; and Alex died in 1993 on James's birthday.
After his divorce from Carly Simon in 1983, Taylor married actress Kathryn Walker on December 14, 1985 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York. She had helped him get off heroin, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
On February 18, 2001, at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Boston, Taylor wed for the third time, marrying Caroline ("Kim") Smedvig, the director of public relations and marketing for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.[81] They had begun dating in 1995, when they met as he appeared with John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra. Part of their relationship was worked into the album October Road, on the song "On the 4th of July". The couple reside in the town of Washington, Massachusetts, with their twin boys, Rufus and Henry, born in April 2001. Henry shares James' intrest and talents.
Sally and Ben, his children with Carly Simon, have also embarked on musical careers. After they were born, Taylor moved with his family to Lenox, Massachusetts.
Lo And Behold
James Taylor Lyrics
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Only to say lo and behold
Deep in the night, down in my dreams
Glorious sight this soul has seen
There's a well on the hill
You just can't kill for Jesus
There's a well on the hill, let it be
Where the Lord has done laid his hand, now
There's a well on the hill, let it be
Everyone's talking 'bout the gospel story
Some shall sink and some shall rise
Everyone's talking 'bout the train to glory
Long, long time till it gets here to you, baby
There's a well on the hill
You just can't kill for Jesus
There's a well on the hill, let it be
Don't build no heathen temples
Where the Lord has done laid his hand
There's a well on the hill, let it be
James Taylor's song "Lo And Behold" is a song about spiritual salvation and the constant struggle between good and evil. The lyrics describe the singer's feelings of loneliness and emptiness during the day, but then in his dreams, he has witnessed a glorious spiritual sight. This experience is a validation of his faith, and he implores the listener not to build any heathen temples where the Lord has already laid His hand. He emphasizes the existence of a "well on the hill" that cannot be killed for Jesus.
The song's chorus asserts the importance of this "well on the hill," suggesting that it represents a bond between humanity and the divine. The singer urges the listeners not to build any temples or churches in places where the hand of God is already present, suggesting that God's work and presence are already there. The second verse of the song deals with the Gospel story, and how some shall sink and some shall rise, implying the role of fate and destiny in determining salvation.
Overall, the song emphasizes how faith and spirituality are interconnected with life's mysteries and uncertainties. The song is a call to action for the listeners to respect and honor the divine, and to recognize how ancient spiritual sites can serve as places of enlightenment and introspection.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely by day, empty and cold
Feeling alone and isolated during the day, with no warmth or comfort.
Only to say lo and behold
Suddenly encountering something unexpected and awe-inspiring.
Deep in the night, down in my dreams
In the depths of unconsciousness and imagination, something profound is revealed.
Glorious sight this soul has seen
A transcendent experience that has left a deep impact on the artist's psyche.
There's a well on the hill
A spiritual symbol representing a source of divine truth and nourishment.
You just can't kill for Jesus
The singer believes that this well's power and significance cannot be destroyed or diminished.
There's a well on the hill, let it be
The singer urges listeners to honor and respect this spiritual symbol as it is and not try to change or exploit it.
Don't build no heathen temples
The artist cautions against creating false idols or religious structures that go against the teachings of the well on the hill.
Where the Lord has done laid his hand, now
The artist implies that this well on the hill is a divine creation that should be preserved and respected as such.
Everyone's talking 'bout the gospel story
The artist observes that many people are discussing the religious narrative of Jesus and his teachings.
Some shall sink and some shall rise
The singer suggests that people will either embrace or reject the gospel story, leading to different outcomes.
Everyone's talking 'bout the train to glory
The artist references the idea of a heavenly train that will transport believers to paradise.
Long, long time till it gets here to you, baby
The singer acknowledges that the arrival of heaven and its rewards may be far off in the future and not easily attainable.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOSEPH CARNALL, LOUIS IAN CARNALL, JOSEPH THOMAS GREEN, THOMAS LEE ROWLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind